Motherland: Fort Salem: 10 Things You Need To Know Before Watching
Motherland: Fort Salem is the newest in supernatural shows, with all the thrills and adventure. Here are some things you need to know before watching.
Some audiences might be sick and tired of new supernatural witch shows, but Freeform decided to give it another go. This time witches are superior and are the world's leading defense against evil and terrorism in Motherland: Fort Salem.
The show follows three young girls of different backgrounds who just answered "the call" and will report to Fort Salem for their mystical military training. But before you dive deep into the show, there are some things that you need to know. Let's take a look at 10 details you need to know before watching.
10 The History Of The Salem Witch Trials
History books and various novels have told the story of what occurred in Salem during 1692. In Motherland: Fort Salem, it plays a huge role in the premise of the show and its main characters. It's best to brush up on what occurred during this dark time in history.
The show does pass over the historical details of young girls and women being accused of witchcraft and being hanged. But it uses it to take a new spin on the power of witches and their new place in society.
9 Witches Helped In The Civil War
One of the main details to know about the backstory of this show is the importance of witches during the Civil War. You might be a little confused but in the show, witches struck a deal with the United States to save themselves from persecution and death.
Lead by a group of women, the witches aided the United States in multiple battles during the Civil War leading to victory. The U.S. realized that instead of destroying your enemy, it's best to use them for a greater good.
8 General Sara Alder Is The Original
When you first watch the show, you might be a little confused about General Sara Alder (Lyne Reneé). It's best to nip this right in the bud about Alder's origin. General Alder is in fact, the original witch who brought peace to the witches with the U.S in the late 1800s.
She is responsible for witches escaping persecution and solidifying their place in history as a military force during the Civil War. You might be wondering how it's possible she's still alive? She's a witch, a powerful one, and anything is possible. You can find out for yourself what her trick is.
7 The Call And The Accord
Much like the military draft or enlisting in the army, witches also have their own spin on it. It's called "the call." When a witch turns 18-years-old, a medal will appear before them calling them to military duty.
A witch does have the right to accept or deny the call. But it's highly unlikely as it's the biggest honor there is as there are not many witches. They must then answer the call using a memorized oath and report to Fort Salem. Back during the Civil War, The Accord, signed by General Alder and the U.S., stated these rules clearly. It's their form of the Bill of Rights.
6 Only Female Witches In The Army
With the show just starting, it's implied that the army is only made up of female witches. It's a birthright passed down from mother to daughter throughout generations and only females will receive "the call." You will see that there are only female generals, trainers, and lieutenants, as well as new recruits.
Although in an episode, it is shown that there are male witches, audiences never know if they actually fully take part in the army as much as the women do. As far as the show is concerned, female witches are the main protectors who swear to lay down their lives in the face of danger.
5 Different Ranks Of Witches
All witches aren't the same and are divided into their inherent abilities. The ranks aren't explicitly explained in detail in the show, but audiences will have an understanding of some. At the beginning of the show, Raelle Collar (Taylor Hickson) is seen performing healing abilities.
Raelle is known as a "fixer." Using Bible verses and her magic, she is able to take a person's injuries into herself. Raelle's love interest, Scylla (Amalia Holm) is a Necro. Necro's have the ability to communicate with the dead and can channel the power of death itself.
4 Use Of Sound To Cast Spells
Unlike most portrayals of witches who recite incantations for their spells, in Motherland: Fort Salem the witches use different sound octaves. Each distinct sound octave, if maintained, can elicit a powerful spell. For example, a certain vocal chord can activate the spell, "Wind-Shear."
A group of three girls are banded together as a team to learn each octave but to also feed off each other's emotions for a stronger spell impact. Certain girls prove to be far more powerful than expected.
3 Raelle, Abigail and Tally Are A Powerful Team
The show focuses on three certain girls who report to Fort Salem. Raelle, Tally Craven (Jessica Sutton) and Abigail Bellweather (Ashley Nicole Williams). Each comes from different backgrounds with their own weight on their shoulders and grudges to bear. Abigail comes from a long line of decorated Bellweathers' with a former ancestor having fought alongside General Alder.
Tally Craven has lived her life in an all-female compound with her mother disliking the military and what it stands for. She goes against her mother's wishes despite losing many family members to war. Raelle is an outsider after her mother married a non-witch. She holds a chip on her shoulder due to the belief that the military caused her mother's death. Together these girls hold an unsurmountable power.
2 The Spree Are The Main Enemy
In this show, the main terrorist group or enemy is a group called The Spree. They are a group of radical witches who believe "the call" to be slavery. They hope to deteriorate the military structure and free all witches from the subjugation of The Accord.
The Spree has no real leader and is often seen in the show as individual members. They use balloons as a calling card and elicit mass hysteria and death. Members are indistinguishable as they are able to disguise themselves as anyone.
1 For Young Adult and Adult Audiences
Freeform has taken their shows into a higher viewership rating. Motherland: Fort Salem ranks at 15+ on the age meter. It tackles everything from homosexual relationships to some character's first sexual encounter. In the show, female witches are encouraged to have open relationships and have their pickings whenever they deem fit.
There is a reason. Witches gain a certain peak in power after encounters with the opposite sex. It's discussed and occurs a number of times throughout the show. It's safe to say this show is more for mature audiences.